Casting machine



Feb. 10. 1925.

W. B. SULLIVAN ETAL CASTING MACHINE Filed April 192;

5 Sheets-Sheet .ffzywetonst- 762 Z z'amji daih'uarz Feb. 10. 1925.

1,525,700 w. B. SULLIVAN ET AL CASTING MACHINE Filed April 12, 1.925 5Sheets-Sheet 3 'll'll W. B. SULLIVAN ET AL CASTING MACHINE Filed April12, 1923 as a 2 62 a 74 64 Z3 :1 CI 15' 26 26 67 q 1- r l 5 Sheets-Sheet4.

Inventors.-

f liokrt Jarda'ne Feb. 10. 1925.

W. B. SULLIVAN ET AL CASTING MACHINE Filed April 1923 s Sheets-Sheet 5 II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 0 Z fwmmm1 h% Patented Feb. 10,' 1925 11,525,700 PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM B. sULLIvAN AND Rosana JARDINE, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIGNoasTo men TOOL COMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINoIs, a CORPORATION or ILLINoIs.

CASTING MAeIIINE.

Application fi led April 12, 1923. Serial No. 831,567.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, WILLIAM B. SU LI- VAN and Roman 'JARDINE, citizensof the United States, and, residents of Chicago county of Cook, andState of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCasting Machines, of which the following is a specification, and whichare. illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The invention relates to machines for producing cast forms, andespecially, though not necessaril as to some of its features, to thecasting 0 'forms upon an existing solid rod or element.

The embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is designed for themanufacture of puppet valves, such as are used in internal combustionengines.

The objects of the invention are the organiz'ation of a machine whichwill be automatic in its operations, in that it brings the elements ofthe mold into-assembled relation, heats the valve stem or otherpreviously formed partto a proper temperature forsecuring an intimateunion with the head or cast form, pours the metal when and only when thestem or other (part is properly heated, separates the mol castingoperation and immediately assembles mold elements for a succeedingoperation.

These objects are secured in the machine as hereinafter described and asillustrated line 3-3' of Fig. 2;

in the accompanying drawings inwhich Fig. 1 is a plan view of thedevice, the electric wiring system being shown diagrammatically:

Fig. 2 is a View partly in elevation and mainly in vertical section onthe line 2-2' of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view on the Fig. 4 a detail sectionalviewon the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an inverted detail plan view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a detail section of all the mold elements and associatedparts;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional 'e w of 'a part of the operating mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of a'circuit breaker;

Fig. 9 is a detail face view of the drag element of one of the molds;

elements after the Fig. 10 is a detail in perspective of the end portionof a valve stem ready for the casting operation; and

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are details of stein cams and cooperating leversused in the ap- I paratus.

The apparatus organizedas shown in they drawings, for the manufacture ofvalves, comprises a suitable base plate 15 from which rise a number ofstandards, as 16, 17

and 18, for supporting various parts of the mechanism.

Upon suitable frame work 19, carried by the standard 18 is mounted thecope element, generally dsi ated by the numeral 20, (Figs. 2 and 3 ofthe mold, and the crucible 21 for carrying the molten metal.

A revolving table 22 is loosely mounted upon the upper end of a shaft.23 v(Fig. 4) fixed in the standard 17. The table 22 carries a pluralityofseats, shown as four. in number and designated generally in 1 and 5 asA, B, C and D, these seats bei'lg adapted to receive and properly carrythe successively cope element.

Each ofthe seats A,.B, C and D com prises a pair of parallel bars 24,25, having their inner faces under-cut, as shown in Fig.

. 6. Eachof-the drag elements 26 of the mold is a cast/metal blockhaving along one of its sides ribs complementary of and adapted toslidably engage the under-cut faces of the bars 24, 25. 'In its end faceeach of the drag elements is recessed as shown at 27 in Fig.

3, to provide the proper mold form for the valve head. The body of thedrag element is longitudinally and centrally bored to receive'a valvestem 28. The rearward end of this bore is counterbored to accommodates.spring supported seat 29, for a-valve stem, this seat being normally sopositioned as to cause the head of the stem to project somewhat beyondthe face of the drag. The body of the drag element is also aterallyrecessed, as shown at 30, to ermit the entry of a contact element 31 andwith the valve stem. A table 32, carried by the standard 16 is providedfor carrying newly prepared drag elements and to receive these elementsas they are successively removed from the machine as the castingoperations proceed. i

its engagement The table 22 is advanced by steps, corresponding innumber for each rotation to the number of drag seats with which it isprovided. After each casting operation the drag is separated from thecope by the turning movement of the table, a new drag being brought intocasting position. As the table is turned the operator removes the dragin which a valve has been cast and replaces 1t Valve stem 28 comes intoengagement as the mold elements are brought into casting relation, thisaperture being bushed with an i insulating material, as shown in Fig. 3.20

The cope 20 is supported by a block 35, mounted upon, but insulated fromthe frame member 19. The attachment between the cope and this block isby means of a plurality of pins as 36, 36, fixed to the back plate 37 ofthe cope, and sliding within suitable recesses in the block, springs as39. reacting between the plate 37 and the block to hold the copenormally in advanced position. Preferably theplate 37 is insulated fromthe body of the cope 20 and the recesses in the block 35' for receivingthe pins 36 may also be bushed with insulating material, .as

shown in Fig.

When a drag is brought opposite the cope.

' it is moved forwardly in its seat and pressed against the face plateof the cope, forcing the entire cope backwardly somewhat against theresistance of the spring 38, and bringing the end of the valve stem 28into contact with the terminal 34, the seat 29-fo1r the stem being movedbackwardly and its spring insuring a close engagement of the stem withthe .terminal. A sprue hole is provided by forming a groove 39 in theface of the drag and leading to the casting chamber.

Vhen the mold elements have thus been brought into proper relation, theterminal 31, preferably of laminated structure. is advanced into theaperture 30 in the drag and into intimate contact with the valve theblock'35 is water cooled, being chambia fiom its outer end as shown at41, a

leading-in tube'42, extending approximately to the bottom of the chamberand a discharge nipple 43 being provided-for carrying off the heatedwater.

The crucible 21 is located directly above the cope 20 and is providedwith a valve. controlled outlet nipple 44, positioned to discharge intothe sprue hole 39. A suitable time interval being allowed for theheating of the valve stem, the valve 455 which closes the nipple 44 israised to permit the out-flow of the necessary quantity of molten metalto form the valve head.

The crucible 21 is replenished with molten metal from time to time andthis metal is kept'at proper temperature by means of a suitable gasfurnace. For this purpose the crucible is'housed within a casing 46,into which gas is introduced through one or more nipples at 47 (Fig. 1).At 48 there is shown a vent opening in the casing i6 for the escape ofthe products of con'ibustion.

-The .table 22 is in frictional engagement with a drum49, mounted uponthe shaft 23. and which is constantly driven from a motor through atrainof gears, com n'ising a pinion 51 mounted on the shaft of the. motor 50,a gear 52 mount'ed on a countershaft 5'13, a gear H mounted on a shaft55 journaled in the standard 17 and a bracket 1'7 secured thereto, abeveled pinion 56 carried by the shaft and meshing with a similar pinion57 fixed to a drum or mementum wheel 58, mounted on the shaft 23 andrigidly attached to the drum 49.

The table 22 is provided with an annular flange 59, fitting upon theperiphery of the drum 4.9, and in this flange is formed a series ofteeth or indentations 60, which cooperate with a spring advanced holdingpawl 61, mounted in a bracket carried by the standard 16. The teeth 60are so posi- -tioned as to be engaged by the pawl 6L engaged.- Theretraction of the pawl 61 is accomplished by means of a slide-rod 62,carried at one end by a bracket 63 formed on the-table 32. and at itsopposite end by v the upper end of a lever 64, fulcruined on a shaft 65carried by brackets 66, supported on the standard 18. The lower end ofthe lever 64 is in engagement with a cam-slot 67, formed in the diskface of a cant-6S. mounted on the shaft the slot 67 being so shaped, asshown at 69, as to provide for a quick swing of the lever 6% to retractthe pawl 61 at the proper time.

A yielding engagement with the rod 62 is provided, and for this purposethe end of the rodis formed into a loop 70 through which extends a pincarof the lever 6a ried by the lever, and a spring advanced head 71housed within the loop'receives the pressure of the lever for shiftingthe rod to retract the pawl 61. The spring supporting the head 71 is ofgreater strength than the spring for advancing the pawl 61. Y

To insure the positive movement of the rod 62 in the opposite direction,a cam wheel 7 2 is mounted upon the shaft 23 between the drums 49-and58, and pinned to both, this cam having four swells, as 73, for successively engaging an arm 74 projecting laterally from the rod 62. Theoperator may arrest the pawl releasing action of the rod 62 by means ofa manually controlled eccentric 75, mounted. on the standard 16 and thedrag against the cope an movable into a position to engage the end ofthe rod. When movement of the rod is thus arrested the swinging of thelever 64 will merely move backwardly the head 71 against the resistanceof the supporting spring.

Each of the drag members 26 is provided with a pair of depending lugs76, 76, which are spaced apart longitudinally as to the member 26. Asthe drag reaches the position in line with the cope these lugs receivebetween them the end of a lever 77, which isfulcrumed on the shaft 65,its lower end 00- operating with a race 7 8 formed in the disk face of acam 79 mounted on the shaft 53. The cam race 78 is so configured that assoon as the drag 26 comes into line with the cope the lever 77 is rockedon its pivot, forcing pushing the latter back against the resistanceof'the springs 38, bringing the meeting faces of the drag and cope intoline with the end of the valve stem 28.

The contact element 31 preferably takes the form of a long flexiblelaminated bar, its

rearward end being secured as at 80 to one of the terminals of thesecondary coil of a transformer, 80. The forward end of the element 31is secured within a sleeve 81 which is pivotally carried by an arm 82fixed on a vertical rock shaft 83 journaled in the frame members. Aspring 87 wound helical about the shaft 83 and having one end attachedthereto and its opposite end attached to the frame of the machine urgesthe shaft in the direction to advance the contact element. A crank arm84 fixed to the shaft carries a roller 85 adaptodfor engagcment by theswell of a cam 68 mounted enclosed, supports and controls the valve 45'tions provides for tiltin this cam being provided with a short swell 96for rocking the lever. In order that the crucible valve may be open onlya sufficient time to permit the discharge of the requisite amount ofmetal to'just fill the mold cavity, an adjustment is provided in theoperating mechanism. As shown, for this purpose, the lever 93 is jointedat its pivotal point and a bolt 97 engageable with a pair of lugsprojecting laterally from the two lever secthe/ outer section to permitsome lost motion" between it and the hook. By this arrangement thecrucible valve may be open during the whole or only a part of the strokeof the lever 93.

The hook 92 is normally positioned beyond the end of the lever 93, aspring 98 reacting between the upper end of the rod 91 and the lever 89swinging the rod outwardly. As the cam swell 96 approaches the end ofthe lever 93 an electromagnet 99,

cooperating with an armature 100, mounted machine, diagrammaticallyshown, comprises the wires 104, 105, connected with the same switch-boxand with the terminals of the primary. circuit of thetransformer 80. Anormally open switch 106 forms a part of ,this primary circuit, beingshown as introduced' into the line This switch isv mounted upon asuitable bracket-107 throu h which the stem of the switch slides. e endof this switch stem is engageable by the swell portion of a cam 108mounted on the shaft 53. A shunt circuit 109, 110 from'the primary localcircuit 104, 105 actuate/s a suitably wound relay 111, controlling themagnet 99. I

The various camsareso timed withreference to the other mechanism of themachine that the following operations occur in order:

Upon the release of the pawl 61 the table 22 is turned through 90,bringing a drag 26 into alignment with the cope 20, the table being thenarrested by the engagement of the pawl 61 .with the next tooth 60 in thetable flange 59; the lever 77, being 'now' entered between the lugsdepending from the positioned drag," moves a; the right (Fig. 2)advancing the drag and forcing the cope baclrwardly against theresistance of the springs38; the shaft 83 is turned to rent through theprimary coil of the transbring the 'contact element 31 into engage--ment withthe valve stem 28 carried by the drag; the switch 106 isclosed, sending ourformer 80* and inducing a current of high "amperagein the secondary coil, this current passing through the contact element31, the valve stem 28, the contact element 34 and the line 40 to theopposite terminal of the secondary'coil of the transformer; the endportion of the valve stem 28 is heated and under the influenceof thespring supporting the seat 29 is caused to bulge laterally,

' taking the shape shown in Fig. current flowing through the shuntcircuit 109,110 closes the relay 111, causing the energizing of themagnet 99 which draws the hook 92 underthe end of the lever 93; thelever 93 being rocked opens the valve 45 permitting 'molten metal toflow into the mold cavity to form the valve head; the lever 93isreleased from the cam swell 96, permitting the I ting the table 22 toturn through 909,;m0v-

ing the drag within which the valve head has been cast and; commencing anew cycle of operation.

While the table 22 is at rest the operator.

removes the used drag and inserts a new one in its place.

The details of the electric circuits are not shown and described ascommon pratice is followed, it bein necessary only to selecta'transforme'rwh ch will provide in the secondary coil the necessarycurrent for heating the valve stem,v and a relay at 111 which will beactuated only when the current'in the secondary circuit is. ample forthe urpose named." By the cooperation otsuc properly selected electricalelements the casting operation occurs only when the valve stem is heatedsufliciently to insure a perfect union of the cast and wrought metals,

The relay 111 is shown as in 'shu'nt from the local primary circuit. Itiiswell known that a relay associated with a transformer f 'urging thestem against the dra with sufmay be connected with either of itscircuits,

- its winding being correspondingly varied.

' In the arrangement shown, as the currentbuilds jup'v in the secondarycircuit the resistance. in the primary circuit s increased untilsufiicient current is diverted to the.

relayito cause its actuation.

' Preferably'tlie machine when organized for the manufacture ofvalvescomprises the various parts as, and in the forms or equivalentforms, hereinbefore described, though some of theautomatic operationsmay be provided for n connection with means not strictly automatic. intheir actions for performing other steps in. the casting opera-' tion.While a preferred form of construction for a valve casting machine isshown and described, variouschanges in the details may be made withoutdeparting from its scope and for the purpose of manufacturing articlesother than valves it may be found desirable to organize the apparatusdifierently while still including the invention as a whole or as to someof its parts.

We claim as our lnvention: v 1. An automatic valve casting machine comrisin in combination a cope a valve stem carrying dra cooperating withthe cope to form a mol a container'for molten metal having avalve-closed outlet delivering to the mold cavity, an electric circuitincluding the cope and a movable terminal for making contact with thecarried valve stem of the following elements arranged to actsuccessively in the order named, means for bringing the cope and draginto assembled relation, means for moving the named terminal intoengagement with the carried stem, means-for closing the circuit, meanscontrolled by the electric circuit for opening the container valve, andmeans for separating'the drag and cope.

2. An, automatic valve casting machine comprising, in combination, acope, a plurality of drags, each adapted to carry a said drags intocooperative relation with "said cope, and means for pouring molten fmetal into each of the molds while in said cooperative relation; r

3. An automatic valve casting machme COmPIISIII rality of d rags eachadapted to carry a valve stem, means for successively bringing saiddragsinto coo e'rative relation with said cope, means for eating the valvestem while the drag is in contact with said cope, and 'means for pouringmolten metal into the cavity and a stem-carrying bore leading into thecavityQan electric circuit including the drag and a terminal engageablewiththe stem heldwithin the bore, and means for ficient pressure todistort the en portion of the stem laterally.

vvalve stem, means for successively bringing in combination, a cope, aplu- Q 5.- An automatic valve casting machine,

comprisingfln combination, a cope, a drag adapted to carry a valve stem,means for bringing the cope and drag-into cooperative relation wherebyone end of the valve stem engages the cope, an electric circuitincluding a movable electrode and'the cope,

means for moving the electrode into con-- tact with the valve stemwithin the drag for closing the circuit whereby said'valve stem, meansfor pouring molten metal uponthe end of the heated stem, and automaticmeans for preventing the pouring operation before the stem is heated toa predetermined degree.

7. An automatic valve casting machine comprising, 1n combination, acope, a revoluble table, a plurality of drags slidably mounted upon saidtable and each adapted to carry a valve stem, means for successivelypresenting the drags to the cope,

' means for heating one end of the valve stem, a melting furnace havinga valx e opening directly above the heated end, means for o ening thevalve when the stem has been su ciently heated whereby molten metal ispoured upon the heated stem.

8. In an automatic valve casting machine, in combinatlon, a cope, arevoluble table,

a plurality of drags slidably mounted up-.

on said table means for intermittently turningthe table whereby thedrags are successively brought into alignment with the cope, means foradvancing the aligned drag into contact with the cope, a melting furnacehaving a valved outlet directly above the contacting drag, and means-foropening the valve for pouring molten metal into the mold.

9. In an automatic valve casting machine, in combination, a metalliccope having afront and rear ortion insulated from each other, anextension of the rear portion projecting through an aperture in thefront portion,- a drag adapted to carry a valve stem and having a sideaperture therein to permit access to the stem, means for normallyadvancing the stern beyond the end of the drag, means for advancing thedrag into contact with the cope whereby the projecting end of the valvestem engages the extension of rear cope portion, an electric circuitincluding the rear cope portion,

means for completing the circuit through the valve stemv for heating thesame, and means for pouring molten metal upon the end of the heatedvalve stem.

I throu h an aperture in the front portion,a drag aving a longitudinalbore a'dapted'to contain a valve stem and a lateral opening] with thecope, a cam operated lever for adto permit access to such stem and apouring groove 'at its front end, resilient means adapted to normallyproject the end of said valve stem beyond the grooved end of the drag,means for advancing the drag into contact with the cope whereby thevalve ed end of said valve stem.

11. In an automatic 'valve casting machine, in combination, a metalliccope iorming one terminal of an electric circuit, a drag slidablysupported in alignment therewith, and having a bore adapted to receive avalvestem, a lateral opening topermit access to said stem, a hollowedout portion and a groove communicating therewith at its forward end;means for advancing said drag into cooperative relation with the cope,means for completing the electric circuit through the valve stem forheating the same, a metal container having an outlet communicating withthe groove, a valve in such outlet, a revolving cam anda lever actuatedthereby for operating said outlet valve.

12. In an automatic valve casting machine, in combination, a metalliccope forming one terminal of an electric circuit, a drag slidablysupported in alignment therewith and having a bore adapted to receive avalve stem, a lateral opening in said mold adapted to allow access tosaid stem, a recessed front end and a pouring groove communicating withthe recess at the forward end of the drag, means for advancing the draginto cooperative relation with the cope, means for completing saidelectric circuit through the valve stem for heating the same, a metalcontainer having an outlet directly above the pouring groove, a valve inthe outlet, a revolving cam, a lever operated thereby, a swinging baroperatively associatedwith-said outlet valve and having a hooked endadapted to be swung into enagement with the end of the cam operatedever, and means actuated by the closing of the electric circuit forswinging the bar into cooperative relation with said cam operated lever,e

13. In an automatic valve casting machine, in combination, a rotatingpower operated shaft carrying a plurality of cams, a revoluble tablehaving slidably mounted thereon aplurality of drags each adapted tocarry a valve stem, a metallic cope forming one terminal of an electriccircuit, means for intermittently rotating the table to bring the dragssuccessively into alignment vancing one of the drags into contact Withthe cope, a reclprocable electrode carried upon a spindle, a cam carriedby the shaft adapted to intermittently oscillate the spindle foradvancing the electrode into contact with the valve stem carried by thecontacting drag, thereby closing theelectric circuit and heating thestem, a metal container having an outlet, and an outlet valve,

- a swinging rod operatively associated with the outlet valve and havinga hooked end, a second cam .operated pivoted lever and an electromagnetactuated on the closing of the stem heating circuit adapted to attracttheswinging rod whereby its hooked end is engaged bythe end of thelastnamed lever.

' 14. An automatic valve casting machine, incombination, a moldcomprising a stationary cope and a: movable valve stem carrying drag, anelectric circuit including the carrier stem and the cope. a valvecontrolled metal container for delivering metal to the mold, andautomatic means for assembling the mold elements, for closing thecircuit, and for opening the container valve.

last mentioned means being operative only upon the 'closing of thecircuit through the v valve stem. 7

16. A casting machine comprising in com- .bination, a suitable frame, acope mounted.

on the frame, a drag adapted to carry an element upon which a casting isto be formed, ways upon which the drag may be moved -intoassembledrelation with the cope, an

electric circuit adapted to include the drag carried element, a. moltenmetal container delivering to the mold cavity, and means controlled bythe named circuit for regulat:

ing the discharge of the molten metal.

. WILLIAM B. SULLIVAN.

ROBERT JARDINE.

